Stormy Meeting Between Begin and 3 Yamit Settlers

Premier Menachem Begin had a stormy meeting in his office yesterday with three Yamit settlers who are demanding that Israel refuse to complete its withdrawal from Sinai next April as it is required to do under the terms of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty.

Begin agreed to receive the protestors. One of them, Mischa Mishcon, has been on a liquid diet for 40 days to protest against the impending pull-out. He was carried into the Premier’s office on a stretcher, accompanied by two sympathizers. One of the latter, Moshe Aharon, was ordered to leave the room after he angrily accused Begin of “betraying the people of Israel.”

Begin reportedly told the three men that he would “not be lectured by you about love of Eretz Israel.” He also made it clear that he would not permit government policy to be influenced by hunger strikers, whatever their political persuasion. Mishcon demanded that Begin submit the Sinai withdrawal to a national referendum.

Begin asked Mishcon to end his fast, but he refused. Following the meeting he was taken to a local hospital for an infusion of glucose.